Key selector mechanism in printing



Sept 8, 17953 A. J. JOHNSTON 2,651,253

KEY SELECTOR MECHANISM IN PRINTING MACHINES Filed April 2o. 19'48 3 sheets-sheet 1 l O I Ilm" ATTENEY Sept. 8, 1953 A. J. .soHNsToN 2,651,253

KEY SELECTOR MECHNISM IN PRINTING MACHINES Filed April 2o, 194s 3 Sheets-Sheet 2v MTUMEY sept. s, 1953 A. J. JQHNSTON Y KEY SELECTOR NECHANISN 1N PRINTING MACHINES Filed April 20, 194s 3 Sheets-Shet 3 l ummm 44'N 4.5" Si z :iT-48 70 71 12', 6 s s 0l 65 Qui H mlm'. O Hmmm' Uhl... IUHIH Il i@ E z 7a 55 37 *75 14' F/ 9/ /81' *E54 6 sz 2a 5 74' M @i lIHNI HHH, Hmmmf 59 53- 79 15 17 n S 15n n f n 15 "1 9@ (CEL @E5 INVENTOR. AH THU/ JJHNST/v Patented Sept. 8, 1953 vKEY SELECTOR MECHANISM IN PRINTING MACHINES Arthur J. Johnston, Ruxton,

Md., assignor to American Totalisator Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation lof Maryland Application April 20, 1948, Serial N o. 22,097 7 Claims. (Cl. `101-93) This invention relates to totalizator ticket issuing machines, and is particularly concerned with the provision of novel and improved selector mechanism Vfor controlling the printing operation. Machines of this type (as exemplified in the patent Ato Black, No. 1,886,625, dated November .8, 1932) embody a printing head carrying type wheels settable to diierent positions determined by depressed keys for the purpose of printing the number of an entry in a race in connection with which tickets are issued from the machine as receipts for bets. As illustrated in the aforementioned Black patent, each of the keys is provided with one or more abutments, the lengths of which are different for different keys, to control the extents of movement of selector elements for determining the positions to which the type wheels shall be set.

The present invention provides new and improved key-controlled selector mechanism, especially adapted for totalizator ticket issuing machines, whereby the Vpositions of the type wheels are determined in a simple, effective, and expeditious manner.

One of vthe'advantages of the invention is that the keys may all be of identical shape, so that all may be formed through a single die.

A more specific feature of the invention resides in the provision Iof a selector bar having a plurality of shoulders, and movable transversely with respect to a plurality of keys, each of which keys has a portion movable into the path of a corresponding shoulder of the bar upon depression of `the key to determine the extent of movement of the bar in accordance with the designation represented'by the key.

The invention also comprises, as a further more specific feature, a yplurality of groups of numeral keys, one representing numerals in one denominational order and Aanother group representing numerals in a plurality of denominational orders including the first mentioned order, in combination with a plurality of selector bars, one of which bars is movable through extents determined by the keys'of either group, land the other through extents determined by the keys of the second group, for determining the positions of type wheels of different denominational orders.

Other features ofthe invention will be hereinafter Vdescribed and claimed.

In the Aaccompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing type wheels of units and tens 'orders in a conventional printing head, together with mechanism embodying my invention for determining the setting yof the wheel of units order.

Fig. 2is an elevational view, with parts in vertical section, of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. '3 is a `topplan view similar to Fig. l but snowingmechanism embodyingmy'invenuon for determining the setting of the type wheel of tens order.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, with parts in vertical section, of the type wheel selector mechanism of Figs. 1 and 3.

Referring tothe drawings, a series of operating keys I0 are pivotally mounted upon a rod I I, carried-by plates I2, I2 of the machine frame. Also carried by said plates is a supporting bar I3, on which is mounted an angle bracket I4 through screws or bolts I5. Said bracket I4 is suitably spaced from the supporting bar I3 by washers I6 surrounding said bolts.

As is customary in apparatus of this type, means are provided for preventing the depression of more than one key at a time. Such means may take the usual form of a row of balls I'I. The latter are shown positioned on top of the supporting bar I3. 'Said balls I'I provide a total free Yspace therebetween sufficient to permit the depression of only one key lever at any given time. The balls may be maintained on the top of the bar I3 in any suitable manner, as by retainer members I8, of inverted U-shape, spaced from each otherby distances approximately equal te the widths of the key levers. In Fig. l, the key lever No. 7, which is shown depressed, has entered the space between adjacent retainers I8 and lhas filled the available space between the balls I'I. The latter fill the spaces between the other retainers so that .no lother key can be depressed until 'key No. 7 is released.

Each key lever is provided with a downwardly extending projection I9, movable in a corresponding oneof a series of slots 2t in the horizontal or top portion of the angle bracket I4. A selector bar ZI is slidably mounted on said horizontal portion vof said bracket, through pins 22 projecting upwardly'from saidbracket into elongated slots 23 in `said selector bar. Said bar is notched in its forward edge to provide shoulders 24 for cooperation with the projections I9 of the various key levers. vThe first of said shoulders 24 (at the left in Fig. 1) is spaced a given distance `from the projection I9 of the key No. 1; while the succeeding shoulders 24 of the first nine shoulders of said bar 2I are spaced progressively increasing distances from the projections I9 of the corresponding key levers. In other words, when the key No. 1 is depressed, movement of Vthe bar `2| through a given distance to the right (Fig. 1) will bring the rst shoulder 24 into engagement with projection I9 of said key No. 1. `When key No. 2 is depressed, the bar 2I movesto .the right through twice the above mentioned distance before its second shoulder engages -projection I9 of key No. 2. And when key No. A9 `is depressed, the bar 2l moves to the right Vthrough nine times the distance that it moves irl-response to depression of key No. 1, i. e.,

24 engages projection i9 ci said key No. 9. Thus, the extent of movement of the selector bar 2i in response to depression of any of the nrst nine keys is commensurate with the Value represented by said key.

A shaft 25, set into rotation is well known manner by depression of any of the keys i9, carries a conventional printing head (such as that shown at il in the aforementioned Black patent). Said printing head includes a rod 2l on which are rotatably mounted a pair of type wheels 23, 29. The type wheel 2S of units denominational order, has ten facets upon which are inscribed the numerals from to 9. Type wheel 29 of tens denominational order, has facets, one of which bears the inscription No., another the numeral l, and a third the word Test Said tens order wheel 29 may, of course, bear additional numerals, depending upon the number of keys, which in turn depend upon the maximum number of races for which the machine is to issue tickets. In the present embodiment exemplifying the invention, there are shown twelve numeral keys and one test key marked T. Hence the type wheel 29 of tens order need bear no numeral higher than l in this embodiment.

Fixed to the type wheel 28 is a stepped cylinder having a series of abutments 3l corresponding in number and disposition to the facets on said type wheel. A similar stepped cylinder 32 having abutments 33 is fixed to the type wheel 29.

Fivotally mounted through a pin 34 on a block 35 is a lever 35, connected at one end to the selector bar 2l through a pin 31 on said bar and a notch 3S in said lever. The opposite end of said lever is connected through a trunnion fork 39 to a plate fill at one end of a sleeve (i9, which is slidable on the shaft 25. At its other end, said sleeve has secured thereto an arm il having a stop portion :i2 movable with said sleeve to positions opposite any one of the abutments l of the type wheel 28. Said arm lil also has a forked portion i3 (Fig. 2) engaging a, rod tilt of the printing head, so that the sleeve 40 is always maintained in fixed rotational relationship with the rods iii and 211 of the printing head during the rotation of said head with the shaft 25.

Similarly a sleeve i5 (Fig. 3), slidable on the shaft 25, is provided with an arm i5 having a stop portion (il movable with said sleeve into positions opposite any of the abutments 33 of the type wheel 29. The arm i5 is also provided with a forked portion d5 which engages the aforementioned rod Lili. A lever (i8, pivoted at 49 on a block iid, is connected at one end to said sleeve 45 through a trunnion fork 5l engaging a plate 45 at an end of said sleeve. Said lever is connected at its opposite end to a selector bar 52 (more speciiically described hereinafter) through a pin 53 on said bar and a notch 52 in said lever.

The printing head, and type wheels 28, 29, stepped cylinders 39, 32, and sleeves 4E), (i5, may be of the same construction as illustrated in the Black patent hereinbefore referred to. Also, the keys ii) cooperate with means such as illustrated in said Black patent whereby, upon depression of any of said keys, the shaft 26 is set into rotation through one complete revolution and is automatically stopped at the end of the revolution. Such means, being shown in said Black patent and well understood in the art, need not be here disclosed.

The selector bar 2l may conveniently be mounted on washers or other suitable bearing members, such as shown at 55 in Figs. 2 and 4, on the bracket iii, through which washers the pins `until its, ninth shoulder 4 22 extend. The selector bar 52 is mounted above the bar 2l, as shown in Fig. 4, and is provided with elongated slots 5t (Fig. 3) through which extend said pins 22. Washers 5l (Fig. 4), surrounding the pins 22, may also be interposed between the selector bars 2i and 52.

Of the keys I9, those numbered 1 9, inclusive, in the annexed drawings are in the units denominational order, While those numbered 19, 1l, and 12 each contain one digit in the units order and another digit in the tens order. The shoulder 24- of the selector bar 2l which cooperates with the projection i9 of the key bearing the numeral l0, is so positioned as to permit practically no movement or" said bar when said No. 10 key is depressed. The shoulder 2d which cooperates with key No. l1 is positioned to engage projection I9 of that key, following depression of the latter, when the bar 2! moves to the right (Fig. l) through a distance representing one unit, i. e., the same distance as that through which said bar moves in response to depression of the No. 1 key. The shoulder 2li. cooperating with key No. 12 is positioned to engage projection Iii of that key, following depression of the latter, when the bar 2| moves to the right through a distance representing two units. Thus, upon depression of any key in the group comprising keys bearing the numerals 10-12, the position of the bar 2| corresponds to the digit of units order in the numeral on said key. The shoulder 24 cooperating with the key marked T is positioned to engage the projection (I9 of that key, upon depression of the latter, without permitting any substantial or signicant movement of the selector bar 2 l.

The selector bar 52 is notched to provide shoulders 5d for cooperation with the various keys. The shoulders 59 cooperating with the keys of units order (i. e., those bearing the digits 1-9) are so positioned with respect to the key projections i9 that no substantial or signiiicant movement of said bar 52 takes place when any of those keys is depressed. However, the shoulders 58 which cooperate with the keys bearing the numerals 10-12 are so positioned that, following depression of any of said keys, the corresponding shoulder 5E! engages the projection i9 of the depressed key upon movement of the bar 52 to the left (Fig. 3) through a distance 01"' one unit. In other words, depression of any of the keys 1 9 (none of which has a digit of "tens order) produces no movement of selector bar 52; but depression of any of keys l0, 1l, and l2 (having digits of both units and tens orders) results in movement of bar 52 to the left (Fig. 3) through one unit of distance, corresponding to the digit 1 in the tens order of the number represented by the depressed key. The shoulder 59 cooperating with the projection i9 of key T permits movement of bar 52 to the left through two units in response to depression of that key.

As previously observed, the selector bars 2l and 52 are connected, through the respective levers 36 and (i8, to stop members (iii and 45 for determining the positions of the respective type wheels 28 and 29. The means for moving said selector bars, and thereby the type wheel stops, to positions determined by any depressed key, will now be described.

A spring 59, connected at one end to the lever 36 and at its other end to a stationary arm 5 l, constantly urges said lever 35 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 1) and thus urges the selector bar 2| to the right. A spring 52 (Fig. 3), connected at one end to arm 5| and at its other end to' leverr48, constantly urges :said lever fina fclockwise direction, urging the bar 52 to moveto the left. The arm 6I may conveniently besecured to a bar E3 fastened to the frame plates l2, I2', which bar may also carry the previously mentioned Ylever-supporting lblocks 35 and A5f), las shown.

Pivoted at 54 on a block 65 carriedbyithe bar 63 is an arm 65, having a notch-61 at one end which engages va pin E8 on the selector bar 2|. Said arm 65 hasa cam portion projecting from one side thereof. Slidably mounted in a groove in the block 65 isla plunger 'l0-adapted to'enga'ge the cam surface of the'projection 59. In the position of the parts shown'in Fig. lgsaid plunger 10, through its engagement Awith said cam -surface, prevents movement of the selectorbar to the right.

Also pivoted on the block 65, as shown -at 7l (Fig. 3) is an arm TZ'having a notch v'I3 '-at one end which receives a pin 'I4 onlthe selector bar 52. Said arm 'I2 has a cam portion "l5 projecting from one side thereof and engaged by said plunger le. In the position'of 'the parts shown in Fig. 3, the plunger lil, through its engagement with the cam surface of the projection 'l5, prevents the selector bar 52 yfrom moving to the left.

The plunger l is pivotally connected at 'l5 to a lever TI, which is pivoted on a rod 18 mounted in the machine frame. Said lever 'VI carries a cam follower or roller 'i9 which engages a cam 80 secured to the shaft 26. A springSl continuously maintain said roller in engagement with said cam 80.

The selector bar 52, which as above noted is mounted above the bar 2 I, is'provided with slots 8l, 82 (Fig. 3) through which project the pins 37 and 68 of said bar 2l. Thereby the selector bar 2l is freely movable to its various positions without interference by the overlying bar 52.

The operation of the apparatus above described may be summarized as follows:

When no key is depressed, the parts stand in the positions indicated in Figs. 1-4,`with their projections IS outside of the notches 'in the selector bars 2i and 52. When, however, a key is depressed, into the dotted line position in Fig. 2 or Ll, its projection I9 moves into the notches or spaces between adjacent shoulders in said selector bars. Also, as noted 'hereinbefore depression of any key sets the shaft 25 into rotation. Thus, the cam 8l? is rotated, moving its high point away from the lever Ti so that thespring 9| Adraws -said lever towards said shaft. Thismovement 'of the lever draws the plunger 10 toward 'the shaft l26, releasing the levers 6B and 12 and freeing the selector bars 2l and 52for operation by the respective springs 60 and 62.

Assuming, for example that thekeyfbearing the numeral 7 is depressed, the selectorbar`52 will not be operated, despite the retraction of the plunger lil, since the projection I3 of said depressed key prevents movement of said bar. However, the selector bar 2| is drawn tothe right by its spring 68, until its seventh shoulder 24 engages said projections I9, at which time said bar 2! has moved through seven steps. vThis movement of said bar shifts the sleeve 40 and stop 132 axially along the sha'ft26 into the proper position for stopping the type-wheel 28 when the latter is rotated suflciently about the shaft 2 to bring the numeral type 7 into printing position. The stepped cylinders 30 and-32 attached to the respective printing wheels 28 and 29, are continuously urged into engagement withthe respective "stops 4,2 l.and 41 :by vcoil springs housed withinsaid'wheels, as shown in the previously mentioned .Black'patent .and thus the movement of eitherstop 42 or 41ial'ong the shaft .26 results in rotation of the associated type wheel 28 or 29 about the axis of th'e rod 27 to bring into printing position the type corresponding to the new position of said stop.

As `previously noted, the printing head which carries the type wheel is carried by the shaft 26. As in said Black patent, .said printing head rotates with said shaft 26, bringing the type wheels into contact with an inking roller and thence into engagement with a ticket (previously automatically severed from a ticket web) so that said type wheels print upon said ticket and the latter is then ejected from the machine. The indicia printed 'by the type wheels upon the ticket are those which register with the surface of revolution generated by the printing head (or printing cylinder as it is designated in said Black patent) carried by the vshaft 28. When no key is depressed, the numeral "0 on type wheel 28 is in register with said surface of revolution, as is the designation No. on the type wheel 29. When, however, the key No. 7 was depressed, as aforementioned, the shifting of the stop #i2 to the corresponding position on the shaft Z6 allowed the type whee1f2`8 to be'rotated by its spring until the numeral type 7 was brought into register with said surface of revolution; at which time a corresponding abutment 3l on the stepped cylinder v30 engaged said stop 42. The type wheel 2S did not rotate, however, since its cooperating stop Vl1 was not shifted, and so its designation No remains in register with said surface of revolution. Thus the indicia No 7 are printed upon the ticket pursuant to depression of the key bearing the numeral 7. As in said Black patent, the printing and issuing of the ticket occur in a-single revolution of the shaft 2G (the latter corresponding to the shaft designated i5 in said patent, the stops 42 and 47 to stops 66, the stepped cylinders 30 and 32 to cylinders 59, and the type wheels28 and 29 to wheels 57 and 58).

Similarly, if 'any other key of the group bearing the numerals 1-9 is depressed, the selector bar 2| shifts the stop 42 for stopping the type wheel y28 in the position for printing the corresponding numeral on the ticket, in conjunction Iisizgith'the designation No from the type wheel If the key bearing the numeral l is depressed, the selector bar 2| does nct move, despite the retraction of plunger lil, since movement of said bar by its spring Bil is blocked by the projection IB of said depressed key in cooperation with the adjacent shoulder 2Q of said bar. However, the selector bar 52 is drawn one step to the left (Fig. 3) by its 'spring 62 and the stop Si for the type wheel 29 is correspondingly displaced on the shaft 26. The type wheel 22 is thus rotated by its springthrough one step, until the corresponding abutment on the stepped cylinder 32 engages said stop 51, bringing the .numeral l on lsaid wheel into printing position, i. e., into registry with the surface of the revolution generated by the printing head in its rotation with the shaft 2S. rl'he type wheel ZShaS-not been rotated about the axis of its rod 21, since the stop i2 hasnot been shifted, and thus the numeral 0 on said wheel remains in printing position. The No. l0 is thus printed on the ticket which is ejected from the machine.

If the key bearing the numeral il is depressed the selector bar 2l is shifted one step to the right by its spring @t as the plunger lli is withdrawn, and concurrently the selector bar 52 is drawn one step to the left by its spring S2. Thereby both stops ft2 and il are shifted along the shaft 2G and the type wheels 28 and 29 are rotated to bring the numeral l on each of said wheels into printing position so that the number 1l is printed on the ticket.

Similarly as key No. l2 is depressed the selector bar 2l is drawn two steps to the right by its spring Si), upon retraction of the plunger iii, and concurrently the selector bar 52 is drawn one step to the left by spring t2 so that the stops iii? and @l are positioned for setting of the wheels 28 and 29 to print the number 12 on the ticket.

When the key bearing the designation T is depressed the selector bar designated i is not moved by its spring, since such movement is prevented by projection i@ of said key in cooperation with the adjacent shoulder on said bar. However the bar 52 is drawn two steps to the left by its spring t2, thus positioning the stop il to allow the type wheel 29 to rotate through two steps, bringing its type Test to printing position. The designation Test G is thus printed on the ticket when the test key T is depressed.

During the latter part of the revolution of the shaft 26 in response to the depression of any key, either or both of the type wheels 28, 25? displaced from normal position are returned thereto by any suitable means, such as that disclosed in the aforementioned Black patent.

It will also be understood that means such as shown in said Black patent may be provided for locking a depressed key in depressed position, and underpressed keys in underpressed position, until a revolution of the shaft 25 has been completed. Each of said keys may, of course, be provided with a spring (such as shown at 2 in said Black patent) for returning any depressed key to underpressed position automatically upon its release.

It will be noted that all of the keys in the arrangement herein described may be of identical shape so that all may be formed by la single die. At the same time the stops for the type wheels are accurately and effectively set into position corresponding to depressed keys. The invention furthermore is readily applicable to totalizator ticket issuing machines such as illustrated in said Black patent, without change in the printing or ticket issuing mechanism or in the mechanism for starting and stopping the rotation of the shaft which carries the printing head.

It will also be noted that in the embodiment of my invention hereinbefore described, the movement of either of the selector bars 2i and 52 is transmitted directly to the corresponding typewheel stop member i2 or il by a simple lever having a single fulcrum. The mechanism for setting the type-wheel stops pursuant to depression of a key is thus greatly simplified over that shown in the Black patent aforementioned.

The block Sii which carries the fulcrum 3ft of the lever 3G may if desired be adjustably mounted on the bar 63, as may also the block 55 which carries the fulcrum i9 of the lever fifi. In the drawings each of said blocks is shown secured to said bar E3 by screws or bolts passed through holes in said bar; and it will be apparent that any desired number of holes may be provided in said bar for the passage of said screws or bolts so that said blocks, and fulcrums 3d, 59, carried thereby,

may be mounted in any of a plurality of positions on said bar 63.

During the latter part of the rotation of the shaft 26 the cam B acts upon the roller 19 to restore the lever il and slide 'i9 to their positions shown in Figs. 1 4. During this restoring of the slide lil to its laforementioned position said slide, through its engagement with the cam projections t9 and 15, restores the levers 66 and l2, and thereby the selector bars 2l yand 52, to their normal positions shown in Figs. l and 2. IThus at the end of the cycle of rotation of the shaft 26 the plunger l@ and selector bars 2i and 52 are in their normal positions shown in the drawings, ready for another cycle of operation pursuant to depression of any one of the keys.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

l. In a totalizator ticket-issuing machine having printing mechanism comprising an indiciaJ bearing printing element movable through different extents to bring the respective indicia to printing position, a plurality of depressible keys corresponding to said indicia, a bar movable transversely of said keys, said bar having a plurality of shoulders and each of said keys having a portion movable into the path of a corresponding shoulder of said bar upon depression of said key, said shoulders being spaced progressively varying distances from the corresponding key portions, means normally preventing shifting of said bar, means responsive to depression of any of said keys for withdrawing said preventing means to an ineiective position, means responsive to said withdrawal of said preventing means for shifting said bar to bring a shoulder thereof into engagement with the corresponding portion of the key depressed, and means controlled by said bar for determining the extent of movement of said printing element.

2. In a totalizator ticket-issuing machine having printing mechanism comprising an indiciabearing printing element movable through dinerent extents to bring the respective indicia to printing position, a plurality of depressible keys corresponding to said indicia, a bar movable transversely of said keys, said bar having a plurality of shoulders and each of said keys having a portion movable into the path of a corresponding shoulder of said bar upon depression of said key, said shoulders being spaced progressively varying distances from the corresponding key portions, means comprising a plunger normally preventing shifting of said bar, means responsive to depression of any of said keys for withdrawing said plunger to an ineffective position, means responsive to said withdrawal of said plunger for shifting said bar to bring a shoulder thereof into engagement with the corresponding portion of the key depressed, and means controlled by said bar for determining the extent of movement of said printing element.

3. In a totalizator ticket-issuing machine having an indicia-bearing printing element movable through different extents to bring the respective indicia to printing position, a plurality of depressible keys corresponding to said indicia, a bar movable transversely of said keys, said bar having a plurality of shoulders and each of said keys having a portion movable into the path of a corresponding shoulder of said bar upon depression of said key, said shoulders being spaced progressively varying distances from the correspending key portions, a cam member connected to said bar, a plunger normally engaging said cam member to prevent shifting of said bar, means responsive to depression of any of said keys for withdrawing said plunger to a ineffective position, means responsive to said withdrawal of said plunger for shifting said bar to bring a shoulder thereof into engagement with the corresponding portion of the key depressed, and means controlled by said bar for determining the extent of movement of said printing element.

4. In a totalizator ticket-issuing machine having an indicia-bearing printing element movable through different extents to bring the respective indicia to printing position, a plurality of depressible keys corresponding to said indicia, a bar movable transversely of said keys, said bar having a plurality of shoulders and each of said keys having a portion movable into the path of a corresponding shoulder of said bar upon depression of said key, said shoulders being spaced progressively varying distances from the corresponding key portions, a cam member connected to said bar, a plunger normally engaging said cam member to prevent shifting of said bar, means responsive to depression of any of said keys for withdrawing said` plunger to an ineffective position, means responsive to said withdrawal of said plunger for shifting said bar to bring a shoulder thereof into engagement with the corresponding portion of the key depressed, and means controlled by said bar for determining the extent of movement of said printing element and means for causing said plunger to reengage said cam member and to operate the latter for restoring said bar to its normal position.

5. In a totalizator ticket-issuing machine having indicia-bearing printing elements movable through different extents to bring the indicia thereon to printing positions, a plurality of depressible keys corresponding to said indicia, a pair of movable bars controlled by said keys to determine the printing positions of said elements, cam members connected to said bars, a blocking element normally engaging said cam member to prevent movement of said bars, responsive to depression of any of said keys for withdrawing said blocking element to an ineffective position, means responsive to said withdrawal of said blocking element for positioning said bars in accordance with the key depressed, means controlled by said bars for determining the eX- tents of movement of said printing elements, and means for causing said blocking element to reengage said cam members to operate the latter for restoring said bars to their normal positions.

6. In a totalizator ticket-issuing machine having a pair of numeral-bearing printing elements of diierent denominational orders, said elements being settable to bring diierent numerals to printing position, a plurality of numeral keys, one group of which represent numerals in the rst of said orders, and another group of which represent numerals in both of said orders, a bar movable through extents determined by the keys of either group, a second bar movable through extents determined by the keys of the second group, means normally preventing movement of said bars, means responsive to depression of any key in either group for withdrawing said preventing means to an ineiective position, means on said second bar cooperating with any depressed key in the rst group for prohibiting movement of said second bar notwithstanding said withdrawal of said preventing means, means responsive to said withdrawal of said preventing means for moving the first mentioned bar to a position determined by depression of any key in either of said groups, means responsive to said withdrawal of said preventing means for moving the second bar to a position determined by depression of any of the numeral keys in said second group, means controlled by said rst bar for determining the setting of that one of said printing elements which is of lower denominational order, and means controlled by said second bar for determining the setting of the other of said printing elements.

7. In a totalizator ticket-issuing machine having a pair of numeral-bearing printing elements of diierent denominational orders, said elements being settable to bring different numerals to printing position, a plurality of numeral keys, one group of which represent numerals in the first of said orders, and another group of which represent numerals in both of said orders, a bar movable through extents determined by the keys of either group, a second bar movable through extents determined by the keys of the second group, cam members connected to the respective bars, an element normally engaging both cam members to prevent movement of said bars, and means responsive to depression of any key in either of said groups for withdrawing said element from engagement with both said cam members, means on said second bar cooperating with any depressed key in the rst group tor prohibiting movement of said second bar notwithstanding said withdrawal of said engaging element, means responsive to said withdrawal of said engaging element for moving the rst mentioned bar to a position determined by depression of any key in either of said groups, means responsive to said withdrawal of said engaging element for moving the second bar to a position determined by depression of any of the numeral keys in said second group, means controlled by said rst bar for determining the setting of that one of said printing elements which is of lower denominational order, and means controlled by said second bar for determining the setting of the other of said printing elements.

ARTHUR J. JOHNSTON.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

